You need:(a) Two NICs (Network Interface Cards)--I'd reccommend Intel 10/100+s or 3Com cards, but you could go the Netgear route if you don't want to spend that much cash. (b) Two patch cables and a hub (more expandable) ORone crossover cable

Install a NIC in each puter. Enable the Client for Microsoft Networks (you might want to add File and Printer sharing, too). Make sure TCP/IP is installed on each and bound to the MS Client. You don't need NetBeui or anything else.

Connect either a patch cable between each NIC and the hub or the crossover cable between the two NICs directly, power up any relevant hardware that's not powered up, turn on ICS on the cable connection with Win ME (assuming you've got the cable connected to the Dell), do the mandatory reboot, and you should be all set.

A more advanced setup, if you choose to eventually have more PCs wired together, would be to dedicate a low-end machine (the aforementioned clone should work nicely) as a gateway/NAT/PAT machine to do the connection sharing, with two NICs, and put Linux on it. There are 3 gazillion HOWTOs on this, should you choose to attempt that at some point.

Two nic cards any type will do, I use linksys myself and I also use a linksys router 4 port. which you could pick up for 119.xx over at buy.com with a 10.00 coupon...if you havent bought the nic cards yet...you could pick up the nic cards and the router and use the 30.00 off 150.00 coupon. both coupons are listed at http://www.padgamer.com

1) I'm confused on how to connect the hub. Do I connect each NIC to a port on the hub (via wires) and then connect the uplink port on the hub to the cable modem?

3) What kind of wires do I use? Do I need an ethernet adapter (I don't know what that is, but I've heard that it's needed)?

4) I don't have a cable connected to my computer; I have a cable box. Right now, the clone is connected to the cable box, which is connected to the actual physical cable wire. Does that make a difference in the installation process.

5) What do you mean when you typed "Make sure TCP/IP is installed on each and bound to the MS Client."?

6) I don't know squat about a hub. Does it require any drivers (or some sort of software installation in order to function)?

Sorry if I sound stupid (or if I'm wasting your time/ boring you with simple questions), I'm just starting to become involved in this subject. Thanx

1) I'm confused on how to connect the hub. Do I connect each NIC to a port on the hub (via wires) and then connect the uplink port on the hub to the cable modem?

If you do that, then both your computers will need routable IPs; most cable operaters charge more for this.

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3) What kind of wires do I use? Do I need an ethernet adapter (I don't know what that is, but I've heard that it's needed)?

Use Category Five Ethernet cable. "Ethernet Adaptor" is another way of saying "Network Interface Card."

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4) I don't have a cable connected to my computer; I have a cable box. Right now, the clone is connected to the cable box, which is connected to the actual physical cable wire. Does that make a difference in the installation process.

That's the way it usually works.

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5) What do you mean when you typed "Make sure TCP/IP is installed on each and bound to the MS Client."?

You need to have TCP/IP installed as a protocol for each connection; you can verify this by going to Control panel and then Networking.

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6) I don't know squat about a hub. Does it require any drivers (or some sort of software installation in order to function)?

No. A hub merely allows you to connect two or more machines on an Ethernet network.

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Sorry if I sound stupid (or if I'm wasting your time/ boring you with simple questions), I'm just starting to become involved in this subject. Thanx

S'ok. Though at this point, the recommendation of the all-in-one Linksys box is probably the best for you.

just use a phoneline homenetworking connection. currently there are choices of either a 1mbps or a 10mbps speed. The manufacturers that I am aware of who make such devices are Intel and 3COMM. And because the technology has been standardized, they are backwards and cross-brand compatible. This means: If you had a 3COMM 10mbps device and a 1mbps Intel device (one for each computer), then both would communicate together, with the max speed connection at 1mbps of course.

The devices come in two flavours, USB and PCI. The USB is conveniant if you have used up all your PCI slots, but is more expensive than the PCI version and it drains more of your systems resources. So if you can, go with the PCI version.

Which ever flavour you plan to choose, you need one for each computer. Also, you can have one PC using the USB while the other the PCI.

These networking devices use the phoneline to transmit the information from one PC to the next without disturbing your phone calls. It allows you to share anything from printers, internet connections to hard drives. And the best part about it is that you can do some multiplayer gaming!

This message was edited by ectobuilder on Jan 12 2001.

-------------------For the people I ask... Mirror-mirror on the wall, who's the truest seeker of them all?